Winners of the 2007 ABC Local Radio Awards have been announced at a presentation ceremony at the Newcastle Civic Centre. ABC702 Sydney won Station of the Year, with Kelly Higgins-Devine being named Broadcaster of the Year.
The Awards were presented in front of senior politicians, leading community members and ABC staff by ABC TV and Local Radio personality James O’Loghlin.
Established in 2001 and open to all staff contributing to the ABC’s nine metropolitan and 51 regional stations, the Awards are designed to celebrate the best of Local Radio across Australia. The Awards ceremony is part of a two-day forum covering issues affecting ABC Local Radio program-makers nationally.
The Station of the Year (Metropolitan) award went to 702 ABC Sydney for the
second year in a row and ABC Goulburn Murray took out the regional Station of the Year award. 612 ABC Brisbane’s Kelly Higgins-Devine was named Broadcaster of the Year.
Director ABC Radio & Regional Content, and Awards judge, Sue Howard says the awards recognise the most outstanding work produced by ABC Local Radio from across the country:
“These Awards celebrate entertaining and inspiring radio for Australian audiences. They highlight the talent and dedication of our staff and I’d like to congratulate everyone who has been recognised this evening.”
The Awards were presented by a range of federal and state politicians including Bob Baldwin MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources – representing the Communications Minister; and Michael Costa MLC – representing the NSW Premier.
Former ABC Radio Canberra presenter Pru Goward who is now a member of the NSW parliament and a Shadow Minister, also presented an award.
Also presenting awards were the Mayor of Newcastle John Tate; Chairman of the ABC Maurice L. Newman; ABC Managing Director Mark Scott; Director ABC Radio & Regional Content Sue Howard; Director ABC Innovation Ian Carroll.
Pics from the Awards night:
WINNERS
Station of the Year (Regional)
ABC Goulburn Murray
Station of the Year (Metropolitan)
702 ABC Sydney
Outstanding Contribution to Local Radio by an Individual
Robert Apolloni
Broadcaster of the Year
Kelly Higgins-Devine – 612 ABC Brisbane
Rural Reporter of the Year
Alice Plate – ABC Southern Queensland
Sports Broadcaster of the Year
Gerard Whateley for AFL 2006
Online Feature of the Year
Nicholas Kittel for ‘Cyclone Larry’
Website of the Year
Jack Kerr for abc.net.au/southeastsa
Local Program of the Year (Metropolitan & Networked)
Evenings with James O’Loghlin – 702 ABC Sydney
Local Program of the Year (Regional)
Mornings with Vicki Kerrigan – ABC North Coast
Outstanding Coverage of a Local Story or Emergency (by an Individual, Program or Station)
936 ABC Hobart & ABC Northern Tasmania for ‘Beaconsfield Mine Disaster and Rescue’
The Paul Boddington Award for Outstanding Radio Feature/Package by an
Individual
Justine Kelly for ‘Minyirr Park’ – 720 ABC Perth
&
Emma Haskin for ‘Feeding Milly, Spartina and Cleo’ – 783 ABC Alice Springs
Outside Broadcast of the Year (Metropolitan)
702 ABC Sydney Drive – Royal Easter Show 2006
Outside Broadcast of the Year (Regional)
ABC North Coast – Byron Bay Writers’ Festival online OB
Community Event of the Year
ABC Riverina – The Hardest Day’s Work on the Year’s Shortest Day
Promotions Producer of the Year
Andrew Taylor – 774 ABC Melbourne & ABC Local Radio Victoria
Producer of the Year
Kellie Riordan – 612 ABC Brisbane Mornings
Best New Talent on Local Radio
Madonna King – 612 ABC Brisbane
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Natalene Muscat – ‘The G-Spot’, 774 ABC Melbourne